President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he has canceled planned U.S. military strikes against Iran just hours before they were reportedly set to begin, citing what he described as a major diplomatic breakthrough.
In a statement posted to Truth Social, Trump said negotiations with the Islamic Republic had been elevated to “the highest level of Iranian leadership” and had received approval from key regional powers.
“Based on the fact that discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran have been brought to the highest level of Iranian leadership and approved, I have, as President of the United States of America, cancelled the scheduled strikes and bombings against Iran this evening,” Trump wrote.
The announcement comes after a volatile 48-hour period that saw U.S. forces conduct strikes against Iranian targets on Tuesday and Wednesday, while Trump repeatedly warned that additional military action could follow as soon as Thursday night.
According to Trump, negotiators have reached an agreement “in both concept and great detail” on a framework that has been approved by multiple nations, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, and Egypt.
The president did not disclose specific terms of the proposed agreement but suggested a final accord could be signed in the near future.
“Time and place of the signing to be announced shortly,” Trump said.
Despite calling off the planned strikes, Trump emphasized that U.S. pressure on Iran is far from over. He announced that the naval blockade imposed in April will remain in place until an agreement is finalized.
“The Naval Blockade will remain in full force and effect until this Transaction is finalized,” he wrote.
The sudden reversal marks a dramatic shift from Trump’s earlier rhetoric. Just hours before announcing the cancellation, the president had threatened another round of military strikes against Iran, raising fears that the region was on the verge of a broader conflict.
READ NEXT: Trump Signals Additional Strikes on Iran, Renews Threat to Seize Key Oil Hub
